HS Boys Basketball: The Finale in The Pit; Conroe vs The Woodlands

CONROE, TX -- For the last time, The Pit, Conroe High School’s gym, hosted a Tiger’s game. The gym has been in existence since the sixties and there have been many memories made in its time. On Friday night, Conroe hosted The Woodlands, which has been a historic rivalry decades old.

As the stands began to fill up, the teams would come out on the floor to warm up. It was almost robotic as each team went through their drills. The Woodlands would shoot around while Conroe stretched and ran the floor.

Back in the Pit as Conroe takes on The Woodlands. @ConroeHoops @TWHhoops pic.twitter.com/71P9awth9o

— Woodlands Online Sports (@WOLsports) February 11, 2023

From the tipoff Conroe was looking to have another upset just like earlier in the week. But, The Woodlands wouldn’t let them off that easy as they came out with a tough defense and shooters attacking the three point line.

In the first quarter Conroe would keep it close but The Woodlands would take the lead with a last-minute buzzer beater. The Woodlands would be on fire from three-point range, sinking four threes, two if which came from sophomore Ian Inman.

Conroe would struggle with The Woodlands defense in the second quarter. They would get shot down in the paint and many of their shots would be contested with heavy defense. Shey Eberwein would hit the free throw line three times and sink all six attempts. This would once again give The Woodlands the lead going into the half.

During the half, past players from over the years who played for the Conroe Tigers were recognized. Spanning from 1968, these players helped give The Pit the reputation of the hardest gym to play in. With no air conditioning and dim lighting, teams would dread coming to play the Tigers.

After the reunion, the teams would come back out to finish what they started. The third quarter would be a defensive battle as the teams would both score just eight points.

In the final quarter The Woodlands would keep their lead and Conroe would result in fouling on the inbound in hopes of the shooter missing their free throws. Unfortunately for Conroe, The Woodlands would hit 9 of 16 which added to their 18-point quarter.

The Woodlands would take the win 56-43 in the final game in The Pit.

The Woodlands takes the win over Conroe in the final game in The Pit. @ConroeHoops @TWHhoops

Final
Conroe - 43
The Woodlands - 56 pic.twitter.com/r4g3onXJsJ

— Woodlands Online Sports (@WOLsports) February 11, 2023

“Just the competitiveness. Conroe and The Woodlands have been a rivalry since forever” said head coach Reed about Conroe and the gym. “To have it [the final game] be The Woodlands Conroe was kind of special. And I told our guys that for the rest of our lives if we can win this game, we’re the ones that won the last time in that gym.”

Coach Hardeman would also reflect on the historic day saying, “A lot of nostalgia. A lot of history. You have people here from the class of ’68 that played here. It’s not too often that you get the opportunity to experience that.”